UFC: Tapout 2 Hands-On

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Hmm... This looks familiar.

By Hilary Goldstein

Early this year, Crave brought their Ultimate Fighting Championship license to Xbox with UFC: Tapout. The UFC, in case you've missed out, is bare-fisted brawls in an octagon arena. The idea is to force your opponent to tap out, or to simply knock them out. In the real world, as in the game, the sport is brutal, bloody, and quick. Crave returns to the Xbox in early 2003 with UFC: Tapout 2.

Features

35 UFC fighters

UFC engine overhauled and refined

Improved collision detection

Over 65 new moves and motions

Specular highlighting

Improved graphics and interface

Custom soundtracks

For those who've played the first Tapout, getting the hang of the sequel will be a snap. The game mechanics are identical, the controls the same as before. Side mounting has been improved and better collision detection certainly helps with counters and the overall look of the game. Visually, Tapout 2 is looking a lot better than the original. Muscle definition, smoother animations, specular highlighting, and real-time shadowing add a greater measure of realism. And with a couple months left in the development cycle, Tapout 2 is certain to be the best-looking UFC game to date.

The menus and overall presentation have also seen some major changes. You can now clearly see what each mode is and navigation seems better. There are also new player intros, several new fighters including Murilo Bustamante, and presentation tweaks to all of the modes.

Tapout 2 hits Xbox with seven game modes plus a nice profile feature. Here's a quick run down of the modes, with more in-depth features to follow early next year:

Arcade -- Fight through an endless number of opponents and earn the highest score.

Champion Road -- Battle your way up through your weight class to become king of the octagon.

Legend -- You're the UFC champ. Now defend your title against all challengers.

Tournament -- Fight it out in an eight-man bracketed tournament.

Exhibition -- A one-on-one match.

Career -- Create a character and work your way to become a champion.

Training -- Practice against a sparring partner.

Profile -- Take a gander at any unlocked fighter. Check out their full bio including birth date, nick name and results of their last five bouts.

For those who never played the original Tapout on Xbox, the controls are about as simple as can be. A, B, X, and Y each serve as a different limb. Separately you tap one to punch or kick. But combine two together and you can do grabs, counters, and pins. While it may seem the smart choice to just beat the tar out of your opponent, not every fighter is going to have the stamina and strength to manage this. That's why you must master countering and submissions.

Depending on what angle you grab an opponent from you'll perform a different submission hold. Or at least attempt to. Your opponent can counter and avoid the move and sometimes pull off a reversal. While on top (or bottom) you can punch your opponent. If you're on the receiving end of a blow, you can try to block or counter the move. And if you're on the bottom end of a submission, you can try and break free or reverse the hold.

What you get out of all this is a unique type of fighter where positioning and strategy play a major role. Though it can be about bashing buttons and socking people unconscious, to perform at a higher level you will need to play along with the premise of a UFC fight. Get good holds, manage your position, and find the right moment to try and force your opponent to tapout.

Fights in Tapout 2 move lightning fast and though there are multiple rounds, fights rarely last beyond the first round. But perhaps that's a good thing. There's only so much grab-assing you can see in one fight before you start to question your own orientation (not that there's anything wrong with that). Because fights are so fast, you've got to think and react quickly, because if you don't counter a submission attempt you'll be forced to tapout like a leetle girl.

Outlook With the same basic gameplay, some may be left wanting more from Tapout 2. On the surface, little seems changed in terms of how fights play out. Perhaps, on closer inspection and with more time devoted to playing, subtle changes will become evident. Still, anyone who wanted a better looking Tapout with more fighters and improved game modes have something to look forward to in early 2003. And for those who never played the first Tapout, the sequel may offer the perfect entrance into a unique type of fighter that's not quite a fighting game and not quite wrestling.